i suffer really bad leg cramps as well and i was at my witsend trying to find a way to cure them. id spend hours walking around rubbing my legs, even my partner would try and help. i found calcium helped alot as did magnesium, anyfood high it it helped alot but check with the dr before trying the tablets but try on foods like fresh nuts to help him.  thats the opnly way i eased mine it didnt cure them as i still get them but not as much. try getting him to run around more as the muscles might need that extra stretching. sorry if im not much help but i understand so much.

Sweetie don't know if this will help, but as a sufferer of bad cramps, over the years i have tried everything, til a doctor told me to use ice packs and if the cramps are in my calf muscles, to pull my feet up towards me not away as that makes the cramps worse..

Hope you can get some relief for your poor son....until they can find out what is causing them. Cramps are so very cruel and so painful, especially if they lock in.

And more painful and heart breaking for you, watching your son going through this....my thoughts are with you.

Cheers Janice

Tissue salts Mag phos (or Cell salts) for cramps....it works.  Can be given in larger doses for acute conditions like this and then reduced to maintain.  Stick with it it will work.  I have used it on stomach cramps and it was brilliant.

It is harmless and easy to chew.....my kids will chew them.  Read the link, info on mag phos is there.

Have you seen those pressure tights that a lot of elderly women wear?  You could try those and see if that helps.

While it sounds like growing pains causing the problem, it could also be that the blood vessels in his legs are requiring a bit more support.  The tights will help with this.

I know that sometimes cramping can occur because of dehydration..Drinking alot of water helped me when I had "charley horse" cramps in the middle of the night..Also and I know this counds crazy, but look it up..I tried it...

If you sleep with a bar of soap near your leg, it is supposed to help..

I know it wounds crazy, but my mom told me about it and I tried it and it also helped..I wish you little on ehte best of luck

I don't know if this will help a 3 yr old, but it's helped me when I've suffered from them.  If I stretch a lot during the day, and particularly before going to bed, that seems to relax the muscles enough to give you a good sleep.  Plus I always find the day after cramps my leg muscles are really tight which makes me even more susceptible to having cramps the next night.

I hope things work out okay.  I can understand this being really distressing for you all.

My nephews suffer growing pains and my sister was told by the doctor to give them sports drinks.

The doctor said for her 3 year old to give him about 1/2 a cup. It seems to work for her kids.

Hope that helps

I think what you are refering to is "Growing Pains" I suffered as a child, and my eldest girl has just recently stopped waking with them. For some they are a real nightmare as you are sadly finding out. This link gives a quick overview of them. Sorry I have no comfort for you as no-one has found out the real reason for them yet.

http://www.kidsphysio.co.uk/service_bones_joints_muscles_growing_pains.asp          

Hope they dont go on too long for you. Luv Winnie.xxxx

i used to get these, and my elder son gets these occasionally. i used to rub emu oil into my legs to stop the cramping and for my son i found that deep heat works as does massaging his legs for a while... elevating them also helps. maybe see a naturopath? i am pretty sure it means you're lacking something (not just salt), but i can't remember what it is, sorry !

I use to get these due to my sporting activities what i used was ice gel rubbed in deep for bout 1/2 hour then dont move it too much and it would relieve it for a few days... Deep heat will work also just depends on which u try they do the same thing.

My son who is 9, has been having them since he was 2. Its hard when they wake up screaming in pain.

The best thing is a hot bath,deep heat  then long socks(footy socks are great) under warm pj's. A thick fluffy pillow to prop his legs up on helps too & if all else fails, are glass of warm salty water.

These all work for us. Good luck.

Cheers Dee